WAR FUNG MAXIMUM ALERT: Foreign Warships Will Need Iran's Permission to Pass Through Hormuz

[doctor_fungcool]

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9007270266



11:17 | 2012-01-04

NOTE: I'm sorry about all the posts this morning...however, things are moving quickly, and it's hard to keep up.



Foreign Warships Will Need Iran's Permission to Pass through Strait of Hormoz

TEHRAN (FNA)- All foreign warships will soon be unable to pass through the Strait of Hormoz unless they first receive a permission from the Iranian Navy ships deployed in the region, an Iranian parliamentarian said, adding that the country's lawmakers are now working on a relevant plan as the strategic waterway is part of the Iranian territories.


"If the military vessels and warships of any country want to pass via the Strait of Hormoz without coordination and permission of Iran's Navy forces, they should be stopped by the Iranian Armed Forces," Nader Qazipour told FNA, explaining about the contents of the plan.

He underlined that the plan will be presented to the parliament's presiding board next week.

In relevant remarks on Monday, another Iranian legislator stressed that Iran will use all its capabilities and possibilities to defend the country against foreign threats and the country will use the Strait of Hormoz as a defensive tool and will close the waterway if it comes under threat.

"Iran will definitely use the defensive potential of the Strait of Hormoz if it is faced with threats," Rapporteur of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazzem Jalali told FNA.

Iranian lawmakers and officials have recently warned enemies that Iran is entitled to the right to close the strategic oil lifeline as a defensive option against foreign invasion.

"The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not on the Islamic Republic of Iran's agenda (at present), but if threats against Iran come to trample upon the rights of our nation while others use the strait for exporting their oil, then Iran will be entitled to the right to close the Strait of Hormuz," member of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Taqi Rahbar told FNA late December.

"The international conventions reserve such rights for the Islamic Republic of Iran as well," Rahbar underscored.

The lawmaker, however, said, "For the time being, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not decided to close the strait, but this (closing the strait) depends on the conditions of the region."

 

[doctor_fungcool]

There are prep rooms on this site. They should be visited in my opinion. Lots of good information, and many knowledgeable people.

 

[Hfcomms]

Pardon my french but that is going to go over like a whore in church. If they follow through with that then they are certifiably looney tunes because that ain't going to work.

 

[doctor_fungcool]

Pardon my french but that is going to go over like a whore in church. If they follow through with that then they are certifiably looney tunes because that ain't going to work.

Actually Hfcomms, the whole world is becoming delusional. I'm seeing lots of info coming my way that proves it.

Unfortunately, I can't post it all.

Freud discusses in the very early 1940's how mankind has within his psyche a life instinct and a death instinct.

It looks like the latter is more prevalent than the former.

Mankind, in point of fact, is his own worst enemy. He not only is Destructive, he is self-destructive.

That's a pity....we did have so much promise.

 

[fairbanksb]

My guess is that they will back off. I HOPE. They have with their threats so far.

 

[bad_karma00]

I think we still have the promise Doc. It's the sense to make the most of the promise that we seem to lack these days. And you're right. That is a pity.

 

[Zahra]

Could be that Iranian parliamentarian is Iran's version of Baghdad Bob. Oh how I miss him! *lol*
http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9007270266



11:17 | 2012-01-04

NOTE: I'm sorry about all the posts this morning...however, things are moving quickly, and it's hard to keep up.



Foreign Warships Will Need Iran's Permission to Pass through Strait of Hormoz

TEHRAN (FNA)- All foreign warships will soon be unable to pass through the Strait of Hormoz unless they first receive a permission from the Iranian Navy ships deployed in the region, an Iranian parliamentarian said, adding that the country's lawmakers are now working on a relevant plan as the strategic waterway is part of the Iranian territories.


"If the military vessels and warships of any country want to pass via the Strait of Hormoz without coordination and permission of Iran's Navy forces, they should be stopped by the Iranian Armed Forces," Nader Qazipour told FNA, explaining about the contents of the plan.

He underlined that the plan will be presented to the parliament's presiding board next week.

In relevant remarks on Monday, another Iranian legislator stressed that Iran will use all its capabilities and possibilities to defend the country against foreign threats and the country will use the Strait of Hormoz as a defensive tool and will close the waterway if it comes under threat.

"Iran will definitely use the defensive potential of the Strait of Hormoz if it is faced with threats," Rapporteur of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazzem Jalali told FNA.

Iranian lawmakers and officials have recently warned enemies that Iran is entitled to the right to close the strategic oil lifeline as a defensive option against foreign invasion.

"The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not on the Islamic Republic of Iran's agenda (at present), but if threats against Iran come to trample upon the rights of our nation while others use the strait for exporting their oil, then Iran will be entitled to the right to close the Strait of Hormuz," member of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Taqi Rahbar told FNA late December.

"The international conventions reserve such rights for the Islamic Republic of Iran as well," Rahbar underscored.

The lawmaker, however, said, "For the time being, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not decided to close the strait, but this (closing the strait) depends on the conditions of the region."

Doc.... If your info is anywhere as alarming as mine; then pard. We will not have to wait for this spring. IMHO the danger lies directly ahead of US......

I am just a smigin off of saying "good by and good luck" - and see you all on the other side.

 

[mt4design]

My guess is that they will back off. I HOPE. They have with their threats so far.

I hope they back off but I suspect they will not without actively engaging first. Remember the active battles with their gunboats the last time they tried this?

IMHO, Iran is nothing more than a state sponsored terrorist org where their soldiers will give up their lives in exchange for virgins and glory to their god and the mullahs have no problem obliging them.

Mike

ETA: from 1998, Iranian Gunboats harass U.S. Navy, Iranian gunboats threatened to fill themselves with explosives and ram navy ships.

They also actively fired upon merchant vessels during the Reagan presidency.

 

[China Connection]

It West will probably stall and abide by what Iran lays down until they are in position in August September this year.

 

[mt4design]

It West will probably stall and abide by what Iran lays down until they are in position in August September this year.

I don't thing the U.S. can stall this at all. We have enough of a Naval presence in the Gulf right now to call their bluff even if they actively engage.

Maritime shipping, along with it's insurance and any attempt at causing disruption in the flow of commerce (oil) will not allow for this.

If there is a disruption in the flow or an increase in insurance then we're looking quickly at gas lines and worse around the globe.

We can't afford to wait until August September for a number of reasons.

I do not believe even China could accept a disruption in the flow of commerce out of the Straight of Hormuz.

Mike

 

[doctor_fungcool]

Doc.... If your info is anywhere as alarming as mine; then pard. We will not have to wait for this spring. IMHO the danger lies directly ahead of US......

I am just a smigin off of saying "good by and good luck" - and see you all on the other side.

Be not afraid Dutch.....there is a force that looks after us.. one and all. That force is God...he will never let us down.

 

[mzkitty]

Hmmm, well, Iran doesn't OWN the strait, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Hormuz

 

[China Connection]

Gee, what a shit! I was hoping this would hold off until I got a new contract signed.

...............................................................................
January 2, 2012
US Troops going to Israel

http://www.whiteoutpress.com/articles/q12012/us-troops-going-to-israel483/

January 2, 2012. Jerusalem. In one of the most blacked-out stories in America right now, the US military is preparing to send thousands of US troops, along with US Naval anti-missile ships and accompanying support personnel, to Israel. It took forever to find a second source for confirmation of this story and both relatively mainstream media outlets are in Israel. With one source saying the military deployment and corresponding exercises are to occur in January, the source providing most of the details suggests it will occur later this spring.

Calling it not just an “exercise”, but a “deployment”, the Jerusalem Post quotes US Lt.-Gen Frank Gorenc, Commander of the US Third Air Force based in Germany. The US Commander visited Israel two weeks ago to confirm details for “the deployment of several thousand American soldiers to Israel.” In an effort to respond to recent Iranian threats and counter-threats, Israel announced the largest ever missile defense exercise in its history. Now, it’s reported that the US military, including the US Navy, will be stationed throughout Israel, also taking part.

While American troops will be stationed in Israel for an unspecified amount of time, Israeli military personnel will be added to EUCOM in Germany. EUCOM stands for United States European Command.

In preparation for anticipated Iranian missile attacks upon Israel, the US is reportedly bringing its THAAD, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, and ship-based Aegis ballistic missile systems to Israel. The US forces will join Israeli missile defense systems like the Patriot and Arrow. The deployment comes with “the ultimate goal of establishing joint task forces in the event of a large-scale conflict in the Middle East”.

The Jerusalem Post reports that US Lt.-Gen Frank Gorenc was in Israel meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Brig.-Gen Doron Gavish, commander of the Air Defense Division. While there, the US General visited one of Israel’s three ‘Iron Dome’ anti-missile outposts. The Israeli Air Force has announced plans to deploy a fourth Iron Dome system in the coming months. Additional spending increases in the Jewish state will guarantee the manufacture and deployment of three more Iron Dome systems by the end of 2012. The Israelis are hoping to eventually have at least a dozen of the anti-missile systems deployed along its northern and southern borders.

In a show of escalated tensions in the region, Iran test fired two long range missiles today. One, called the Qadar, is a powerful sea-to-shore missile. The other was an advanced surface-to-surface missile called the Nour. According to Iranian state news, the Nour is an ‘advanced radar-evading, target-seeking, guided and controlled missile’. Additionally, the Iranian military reportedly test-fired numerous other short, medium and long-range missiles. Yesterday, Iranian authorities reported that they test-fired the medium-range, surface-to-air, radar-evading Mehrab missile. Today is supposed to be the final day of Iranian naval drills in the Straits of Hormuz.

Iran recently made global headlines when it threatened to blockade the Straits of Hormuz if Europe and the US went ahead with their boycott of Iranian oil and the country’s central bank. One-quarter of the world’s oil passes through that waterway every day. President Obama has announced that a closure of the Straits was unacceptable and vowed to take whatever measures are necessary to keep the vital shipping lane open.

In response to the Iranian missile tests this weekend, French authorities were the first to respond, calling it a, “very bad signal to the international community."We want to underline that the development by Iran of a missile program is a source of great concern to the international community,"the French Foreign Ministry said in a written statement. Israeli officials suggested the flamboyant Iranian military drills this weekend were a sign that international sanctions on the country were taking a heavy toll and that any additional boycotts, on its banks or oil industry, would be crippling.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the large missile tests showed, “the dire straits of Iran in light of the tightening sanctions around her, including the considerations in the last few days regarding the sanctions of exporting petroleum as well as the possibility of sanctions against the Iranian Central Bank." While the chances of Iran going through with its threat of closing the Straits of Hormuz are slim, the deployment of thousands of US troops and naval ships to Israel shows the US isn’t taking any chances.

 

[mt4design]

Hmmm, well, Iran doesn't OWN the strait, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Hormuz

Exactly... but Iran has played this game before. They use terror and holding hostages as a form of "diplomacy".

Spikes in oil already...

=================

Oil prices soar as Iran warns US aircraft carrier away from Persian Gulf

Prices rise worldwide amid concerns that tensions between US and Iran over key oil route could lead to supply disruptions

guardian.co.uk,

Tuesday 3 January 2012 09.53 EST

Image, US aircraft carrier Iran Strait of Hormuz

The aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis and another vessel exited the Gulf through the Hormuz Strait a week ago. Photograph: Handout/REUTERS

Iran's army chief on Tuesday warned an American aircraft carrier not to return to the Persian Gulf in Tehran's latest tough rhetoric over the strategic waterway, part of a feud with the United States over new sanctions that has sparked a jump in oil prices.

General Ataollah Salehi spoke as a 10-day Iranian naval exercise ended near the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. Iranian officials have said the drill aimed to show that Iran could close the vital oil passage, as it has threatened to do if the United States enacts strong new sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme.

But a defence spokesman said the United States will continue to deploy its warships in the Gulf.

"These are regularly scheduled movements and in accordance with our long-standing commitments to the security and stability of the region and in support of ongoing operations," Commander Bill Speaks said in an emailed response to Reuters.

"The US Navy operates under international maritime conventions to maintain a constant state of high vigilance in order to ensure the continued, safe flow of maritime traffic in waterways critical to global commerce," he said.

The strait, leading into the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, is the only possible route for tankers transporting crude from the oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf to markets. A sixth of the world's oil exports passes through it every day.

Oil prices rose to over $101 a barrel Tuesday amid concerns that rising tensions between western powers and Iran could lead to crude supply disruptions. By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for February delivery was up $2.67 to $101.50 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The jump came a day after Iran test-fired a surface-to-surface cruise missile as part of the manoeuvres, prompting Iran's navy chief to boast that the strait is "completely under our control."

Salehi's warning for the US aircraft carrier not to come back seemed aimed at further depicting the strait and the Gulf as under Iran's domination, though there was little way to enforce his warning without military action. The strait is divided between Iran and Oman's territorial waters, and international law requires them to allow free passage through it.

"We recommend to the American warship that passed through the Strait of Hormuz and went to Gulf of Oman not to return to the Persian Gulf," Salehi was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA.

He said Iran's enemies have understood the message of the naval exercises, saying, "We have no plan to begin any irrational act but we are ready against any threat."

The aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis and another vessel exited the Gulf through the Hormuz Strait a week ago, after a visit to Dubai's Jebel Ali port, according to the US Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. The Fleet did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Salehi's warning.

Iran's sabre-rattling over the strait and the Gulf has come in response to US preparations to impose tough new sanctions that would ban dealings with Iran's Central Bank. That would deeply hurt Iran's oil exports since most countries and companies use the bank to conduct purchases of Iranian crude.

Iran relies on oil revenues for around 80% of its budget, meaning a cut-off would be devastating to its already weakening economy.

President Barack Obama has signed the sanctions into law but has not yet enacted them. The sanctions would be the strongest yet by the US, aimed at forcing Tehran to back off its nuclear program, which many in the West say is intended to produce a nuclear weapon. Iran denies the claim, saying its program is peaceful.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Tuesday that is country wants Europe to agree on similar sanctions against Iran by January 30 to show its determination to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. He told the French television station i>TELE that there is "no doubt" that Iran is continuing with plans to build a bomb.

Iran's naval maneuvers took place over a 1,250-mile stretch of water beyond the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, as well as parts of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, according to Iranian officials.

A leading Iranian lawmaker said Sunday the maneuvers served as practice for closing the strait if the West enacts sanctions blocking Iranian oil sales. Top Iranian officials made the same threat last week.

 

[doctor_fungcool]

Hmmm, well, Iran doesn't OWN the strait, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Hormuz

Here's what I gather as to the ownership of the Strait.

Half of the Strait is owned by Iran, the other half is owned by the United Arab Emerites and Oman.

If anyone see this differently, please post.

 

[Bubble Head]

No they don't. I think they and the rest of the world is about to find that fact out.

Hmmm, well, Iran doesn't OWN the strait, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Hormuz

 

[mt4design]

Did some quick research but I have to go to work.

Google the Carter Doctrine and also United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Any act to close the Straight would be a violation of UN Convention, for what ever that is worth.

The Carter Doctrine declared that any attempt would be met with military force. Reagan continued with this policy and put it in to action.

Mike

 

[Cascade Failure]

Theoretically, ownership is based on rule of law. In reality, it is based on rule of force and will.

We'll see...

 

[Bubble Head]

It will be settled the old Navy way. Last one floating wins. Or those with the biggest guns/missles will keep floating.

 

[the watcher]

This may not be as cut and dried as it seems.
FALSE FLAG: U.S./Israel sink a U.S. carrier in the Straights of Hormuz and blame Iran???
FALSE FLAG ATTACK IN THE MAKING??? LIKE THE U.S.S. LIBERTY?
Will the Navy take the initiative to sink a ship in the Straights of Hormuz and blame it on Iran as an act of war, or will they leave it up to an Israeli Submarine? Or will an Israeli sub simply attack a US Navy ship in a false flag attack?

http://bigdanblogger.blogspot.com/2011/12/false-flag-in-straights-of-hormuz-and.html

Israeli attack on USS Liberty (US Navy ship)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZSzdQuOqM&feature=BFa&list=PLDCBD670AB80A4B15&lf=player_embedded

 

[Cascade Failure]

It will be settled the old Navy way. Last one floating wins. Or those with the biggest guns/missles will keep floating.

I'm good with this.

Dear Iran,

Good luck. (snicker, snicker, snicker)

US

 

[UncurledA]

It will be settled the old Navy way. Last one floating wins. Or those with the biggest guns/missles will keep floating.

Not necessarily in this case. Iran has a second punch after the ( assured ) sinking of their navy: huge amounts of hidden and hard-to-strike shore and inland missile batteries of very effective missiles that our own people say might overwhelm our defenses. Plus, they have a large asymmetrical warfare capability already discussed at length on TB in the past. Then, they have a third punch in the promises of China and Russia to intervene on the side of Iran, "even at the cost of WWIII".

But one thing is glaringly obvious to me in this high-stakes game of chicken we are playing: why isn't Europe the primary opposing force here ? They have the greatest interests here in terms of oil shipments, yet once again they are placing it on the U.S. to spend the money and lives if necessary. Yes, I know we have made them dependent on us, and we like being the Big Boy Power, so why shouldn't they let us shoulder the burden of a potential WWIII ? It's understandable, but it's not right, and it's not going to work for much longer, either, as we're running huge deficits to continue our world policeman role ( among other excesses ). If Europe has let themselves become weak because of our constantly stepping in, then at some point they need to be reminded that weakness has a cost.

 

[China Connection]

They have both Russia and China heavily invested in their country. Personally if I was either Russia or China I would be providing the latest military equipment at my disposal to even the odds. I can't see Russia and China not helping. They have both said that they will help.

 

[Bubble Head]

If that can't see they can't shoot. Special ops and tactical strikes will take out their radar before they can say alla akabar. Its what they do and they do it best.

Not necessarily in this case. Iran has a second punch after the ( assured ) sinking of their navy: huge amounts of hidden and hard-to-strike shore and inland missile batteries of very effective missiles that our own people say might overwhelm our defenses. Plus, they have a large asymmetrical warfare capability already discussed at length on TB in the past. Then, they have a third punch in the promises of China and Russia to intervene on the side of Iran, "even at the cost of WWIII".

But one thing is glaringly obvious to me in this high-stakes game of chicken we are playing: why isn't Europe the primary opposing force here ? They have the greatest interests here in terms of oil shipments, yet once again they are placing it on the U.S. to spend the money and lives if necessary. Yes, I know we have made them dependent on us, and we like being the Big Boy Power, so why shouldn't they let us shoulder the burden of a potential WWIII ? It's understandable, but it's not right, and it's not going to work for much longer, either, as we're running huge deficits to continue our world policeman role ( among other excesses ). If Europe has let themselves become weak because of our constantly stepping in, then at some point they need to be reminded that weakness has a cost.

 

[Border guard]

It may come sooner than we think. http://defensetech.org/2012/01/03/our-new-megabase-in-afghanistan/

It West will probably stall and abide by what Iran lays down until they are in position in August September this year.

Our New Megabase in Afghanistan

So, this is some drone-related news about the Afghan war that we missed. While most media attention has been focused on CIA drone bases in Pakistan, the U.S. last year transformed the remote ex-Soviet air field at Shindand, near the Iranian border, into the second biggest air base in all Afghanistan.

The perimeter of the once sprawling Soviet base was officially expanded to three times its size to accommodate the Afghan air force’s undergraduate pilot training center. However, with last month’s downing of an RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drone, news emerged that Shindand plays host to the secret UAVs, which had previously only been known to fly out of Kandahar air base.

The facility’s remoteness and proximity to the border with Iran makes it the perfect location for a variety of ops against Tehran. In fact, its one of the few major U.S. bases that doesn’t appear to be updated when veiwed through satellite viewers like Google Maps. Even the sensitive U.S. facilities in the UAE show plenty of Western jets parked on their ramps. Meanwhile, updated (albeit grainy) images of Kandahar Airport, where the RQ-170 likely takes off from for missions over nearby Pakistan, are easily viewable in Google Maps.

Do a quick Google Image search for Shindand and you’ll see plenty of images of everything from AH-64 Apache helos, F-15E Strike Eagles and C-17 Globemasters (shown above) to Afghan air corps Cessna Caravans and even old MiG-21s operating out of the base.

Shindand’s remote location even made it the ideal ground for the Soviets to test out their VTOL fighter, the Yak-38 in 1980.

In any case, as long as tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high, you can bet that Shindand will remain important.

Read more: http://defensetech.org/2012/01/03/our-new-megabase-in-afghanistan/#ixzz1iVB7TpGS
Defense.org

 

[doctor_fungcool]

things are coming to a head quickly.



Crude Surges On News Europe Agrees To Ban Iran Oil Imports

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 01/04/2012 09:47 -0500

http://www.zerohedge.com


As if the situation in the Gulf was not enough on edge, here comes Europe with news, via Reuters, that EU governments have reached a deal to ban Iranian oil imports. The only thing pending is the determination of the starting date and other details. The result, as expected, is another leg up in crude. Sooner or later, this relentless rise higher will spill through to the pump, which according to the Michigan Bizarro confidence indicator will sent consumer optimism to historic levels. And now, the escalation hot grenade is back in Iran's court. Expect more missiles to be fired into the water and more rhetoric about Straits of Hormuz closure in 5...4...3...

 

[Cascade Failure]

I still think there will be a lot more posturing until some of the major players, US, Russia, China, Germany see profit in actual warfare.

 

[optimistic pessimist]

Oil prices soar as Iran warns US aircraft carrier away from Persian Gulf

Now watch....someone else will step into the game to impact oil....watch Venezuela, North Korea, Cuba, Syria....

I am not liking the way this is shaping up.

 

[mt4design]

I still think there will be a lot more posturing until some of the major players, US, Russia, China, Germany see profit in actual warfare.

I agree if it is only that short list that is involved.

Iran is the wild card, and as said before, they have been there and done this before.

That, and the fact that the world's economies cannot afford disruption or spikes like even the threat of a closure could cause will not allow this to linger until August/September.

We are dangerously balanced on the edge already.

One thing not taken in to account is that which Iran cannot see under the surface of the Straight and in the Gulf.

Now watch....someone else will step into the game to impact oil....watch Venezuela, North Korea, Cuba, Syria....

I am not liking the way this is shaping up.

Yep.

Mike

 

[OldArcher]

Doc,

The Iranians have tried to leave themselves some, a very little, wiggle room... Look closely at this quote, and the word I've highlighted:

"If the military vessels and warships of any country want to pass via the Strait of Hormoz without coordination and permission of Iran's Navy forces, they should be stopped by the Iranian Armed Forces," Nader Qazipour told FNA, explaining about the contents of the plan."

Small, yes, but still a qualifier in their statement. Bellicosity aside, this still appears to be a "Double dog dare you" moment. Will they? Back up their threats? Getting inside the head of a madman is, itself, dangerous. Take no prisoners, give no quarter and expect none, and of the combatants, kill 'em all...

OA, out...

 

[Zahra]

Not necessarily in this case. Iran has a second punch after the ( assured ) sinking of their navy: huge amounts of hidden and hard-to-strike shore and inland missile batteries of very effective missiles that our own people say might overwhelm our defenses. Plus, they have a large asymmetrical warfare capability already discussed at length on TB in the past. Then, they have a third punch in the promises of China and Russia to intervene on the side of Iran, "even at the cost of WWIII".

But one thing is glaringly obvious to me in this high-stakes game of chicken we are playing: why isn't Europe the primary opposing force here ? They have the greatest interests here in terms of oil shipments, yet once again they are placing it on the U.S. to spend the money and lives if necessary. Yes, I know we have made them dependent on us, and we like being the Big Boy Power, so why shouldn't they let us shoulder the burden of a potential WWIII ? It's understandable, but it's not right, and it's not going to work for much longer, either, as we're running huge deficits to continue our world policeman role ( among other excesses ). If Europe has let themselves become weak because of our constantly stepping in, then at some point they need to be reminded that weakness has a cost.

All flippancy and levity aside - Most of the world cannot tolerate the straight being choked off so I would think it would be considered an act of war. The UN will dither and posture about it, and the Europeans will wait for the US to take the lead in what to do about it (yes, it really makes my blood boil that we've been subsidizing their cushy socialist lifestyles by paying the price of their security through our blood & treasure for so long now, but the fact is that they've taken advantage of that & have allowed their militaries to be weak because we were always ready to do the job).

Russia will benefit from higher energy prices & probably gain more clients in Europe since they have the energy to supply Europe. Iran will seek to remain on China's good side so will probably allow Chinese tankers through without any problems... it will be the US and the UK who will suffer the most unless we ensure the Straight stays open. And, thanks to the idiocy (or intent) of our rulling class who have largely opposed making full use of our own domestic energy resources, we MUST have foreign oil still, so we have no choice but to do whatever it takes to ensure that waterway stays open and safe for ships.

So.... I think it will boil down to a question of whether or not Iran thinks it's ready right now for war. Will Russia support them? Are they ready for WW3? Does our current administration have the guts (polite word) to take a stand and deny an Iranian chokehold? Can he even make a decision (he hasn't been very good at that in that past)... or will he dither until it's choked off.... hummm......

 

[skoaldiak]

no offense doctor_fungcool, Flying Dutchman or any other hard working member starting these threads or keeping us up to date.....but, I think I've become numb to this kind of info. I don't think anything will come of this. It did state this is just someone's thought and that it would have to go to a vote to become 'official'. Heres to hopin' I'm right

 

[maric]

Thanks for finding this Doc. My gut has been telling me all these warnings point to war. This kinda clinches that.

 

[UncurledA]

If that can't see they can't shoot. Special ops and tactical strikes will take out their radar before they can say alla akabar. Its what they do and they do it best.

I wish it were that simple, but our enemies have been working on counter-countermeasures to those tactics since we first revealed them in '91. All Eastern powers have been migrating to sophisticated suites of autonomous control systems from the command personnel level down to the guidance component level. Of course, our military field grade have not been briefed about this at all, but it is in the trade press and some public press. If we go to hot war with Iran, who have been covertly backed by Russia and China as a surrogate for 15-20 years, this will not be the cakewalk our mouthpieces comfortingly say it will be. Radar tracking and guidance, though still used as a secondary system, is so '80s, and all the Special Forces we could land would need free access for months to take out all the reported shore and inland batteries, in my not uninformed opinion. The RQ-170 incident is indicative of the "surprises" we may have in store. Naturally, our PTB dismissed their claims as untrue, because that's what you do, but nevertheless there it sits being dissected. This is only one piece of machinery, and I'm sure our Special Forces would have liked to find it and destroy it before any of its hi-tech features are discerned. Can they ? I don't know, but assigning super-powers to our SF would be a dangerous miscalculation, one that is being done regularly by recent Presidents.

Our only alternative is to nuke them if we are being defeated conventionally, and this will guarantee WWIII, with the arrayed big nuclear powers claiming the moral high ground and condemning us for responding with nukes to a tactical conventional defeat, justified or not. Hard things, these...... Hello, Europe, care to take over militarily now that you have provoked politically ? No ? Oh, OK, then.......Bye.

 

[Bubble Head]

UncurledA, you are probably right about the nukes. I would hope for massive amount of daisy cutters or at worst tatical nukes. But in the end it won't matter. Once it has started it will flow to other regions of the globe and be called WWIII. The strait of hormuz must remain open. Half of me says this is just another way to hike oil prices and the other half says bunker down this is the real thing.

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

Be not afraid Dutch.....there is a force that looks after us.. one and all. That force is God...he will never let us down.

Doc.... Pard, you sure don't know me, not by half you don't. It aint fear of the situation Doc; but the self fear *when all holds of civilization is rent asunder.... If anything I fear myself....

 

[doctor_fungcool]

Doc.... Pard, you sure don't know me, not by half you don't. It aint fear of the situation Doc; but the self fear *when all holds of civilization is rent asunder.... If anything I fear myself....

Well Dutch, with the EU boycotting Iranian oil, and the Iranian banks being blockaded financially from the west, I'm assuming that they are backed up against the wall. We all know what happens when folks are backed into a corner. The world is watching, as are our enemies, Russia and China.

Things are changing...not day by day...but hour by hour.....

 

[optimistic pessimist]

And China appears to be making good friends lately with the Latin American countries over oil just this month, while we were shut out......

 

[knepper]

If anyone see this differently, please post.
There is an article about this in today's American Thinker, by Barry Farber. Middle of the strait is International Waters, hence to close it would be an act of war.
I don't think the musings of an Iranian 'parliamentarian' is worth worrying about. It's what Ahmahdinejad and the Mullahs decide that matters.